NUERTINGEN. (ngu/üke). The German Nuertingen-Geislingen University (NGU) runs exchange programs with 50 partner universities around the globe. Every semester the university sends more than 200 students abroad. Usually they spend one academic year far away from home. Number one destination on their wishlist is California State University Fullerton close to Los Angeles. Students love the outstanding study conditions, the pacific coast just around the corner and the glamour of the Southern California metropolis. The main problem of NGU´s international activities is to create a reciprocal relationship. In other words: To attract also American students to come to Southern Germany. But: NGU becomes increasingly attractive to international students from the United States, Australia and many other countries.
Already years ago NGU started a program that combines studying in the classroom with internships at local companies. And this package sells well to a growing number of overseas students. Barely anyone knows the city at the river neckar with its 40 000 citizens. But brand names like Boss, Bosch, Mercedes, Porsche or Metabo are global symbols for German quality and innovations. These companies have their headquarters in the region around Stuttgart, the state capital of Baden-Wuerttemberg. This is the economic power house of Europe and Nuertingen-Geislingen University capitalizes on its location. It´s the mixture: Famous brands and global players together with internationally successful SME´s. Erin van Leer appreciates this: The young Fullerton student arrived as an exchange student in Nuertingen in September 2011. She attended business lectures that are taught in English. In march last year she started a six month-internship at Rampf Group, a leading company for the development and production of reactive resin systems and their application technology. The family owned company sells worldwide and employs NGU interns on a regular basis through the International Office of the university. Rampf appreciates the native language skills and the international background of the NGU exchange students. For Erin van Leer her stay in Germany was like winning in a lottery: She went back to California, finshed her degree in International Business and meanwhile she is back in the South-German winter. She said Good-bye to sunny California and started her first regular job in the marketing division at Rampf. Where else? „As an intern Erin was extremely busy and motivated. She exelled our expectations so we offered her a permanent position“, says Nicole Luttenberger, Marketing Director at Rampf. Michael Rampf, CEO of Rampf Holding adds „what counts for us is practical experience combined with professional knowledge. It doesnt´t matter were our applicants come from. But we certainly enjoy the good contacts to the university“
After her exchange program at Nuertingen Alyssa Twitchell, annother Fullerton student, also returned to Germany. In her case it was an internship at Bosch that attracted her. She plans to settle in Germanies Southwest for some years instead of Southern California. This is her first semester back in the classroom. After the internship at the worlds largest supplier to the car industry, she is now going for a Masters of Science degree in the International Finance program at NGU. The program is totally taught in English and tuition is free. She won´t be alone; two more students from Fullerton will arrive in summer to attend the same program as degree-seeking students. NGU director of International Affairs Professor Dr. Iris Ramme is happy: „We are getting more and more attractive to our overseas partners. We design our programs exactly in the way our international student want them. The mixture of English business lectures and internships make the difference. This starts to pay off. It helps us to create a more reciprocal basis in our exchange relations”.
Erin van Leer and Alyssa Twitchell see Nuertingen meanwhile as their second home. Erin could rely on her highschool experience. Her favourite teacher was her German teacher. Already there she developed a strong interest in the German language and culture, which are now both familiar to her. Alyssa had zero German language knowledge when she came to Nuertingen. “I didn´t even know how to say hello”. This has changed; before she started to work for Bosch, she attended an intensive language training. Alyssa takes the hard way. She still works for Bosch. But unlike an American work student that attends five courses she has to visit 13 classes besides her job. But her goal is clear; she will spend her next exchange semester in Cardiff in Wales and then she wants to start her professional career. “The German economy is doing well and job prospects for young academics are very good”. Alyssa enjoys her life in Germany, she loves the landscape, the people and everything the country has to offer. But, one day she will definitely return to California. “Germany is my second home. But I miss my family and friends, my first love remains to be California”.
Gerhard Schmücker
Nürtingen, 29.01.2013